Markets were up this week, with the Dow finishing up 1.62%, the S&P up 1.64%, and the Nasdaq up 1.31%.  Stocks were helped along Friday by jobs- while we lost some 90,000 in total, most of the loss was from public sector jobs. The private sector actually added some 60,000, showing continued confidence in the economy.

Investors might be noticing the changing currency climate, wherein many currencies are gaining value against the dollar. If this is an “unfair” valuation (as the dollar should continue in its strength), they might be wondering about an investment in the dollar. Investing in a foreign stock with some exposure to U.S. sales is in itself a bet on the dollar- without engaging in tricky currency trades.

Next week, companies’ quarterly earnings start in earnest. Also notably, the CPI numbers come out next week.

This week’s factoid:

A bit of national pride this week:  Nine of the last nine Nobel prizes in Economics have had at least one team member from the U.S. This year’s winner will be announced Monday.